President Dr Mohamed Waheed has yesterday met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka. Both presidents engaged in a cordial and productive exchange on a range of issues of mutual interest.

President Waheed began the meeting by mentioning that 26 July 2012 will mark the 47th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Both President Waheed and President Rajapaksa shared their mutual appreciation for the close ties of friendship and support that exist between the two countries, and expressed their hopes of these relations continuing to further strengthen in both regional and international forums.

President Waheed expressed his gratitude for the confidence placed in him by the Sri Lankan government, following his assumption of office on February 7 2012. President Waheed went on to brief President Rajapaksa on recent political developments in the Maldives.

Finally, President Waheed noted the common view of Sri Lanka and Maldives on a range of issues including climate change and SAARC.